New Jersey Mold Inspection, New Jersey Mold Testing

Mold inspections, mold testing and mold in general has become one of the dreaded words in real estate transactions these days.  The very mention of the word "mold" sends chills up the spines of home inspectors, home buyers, home sellers and real estate agents. There is a real cost savings when home buyers hire home inspectors who can test for mold. That way if mold is found during the home inspection home buyers can just ask their home inspector to test it. By having the mold tested the same day one will save time and the cost of having a second inspector go to the home.

What percentage of homes contain mold?  My best guess is just about 100%. Yes, mold is an air borne pathogen that is in the air you and I breath on the interior and exterior of your home, my home and they home you may be purchasing. Far more important is how much mold is in the home and what type of mold is in the home. As a home inspector trained in mold testing I can provide you with additional information about mold and also provide mold testing services if you wish for them. I can test for mold in the air, on hard surfaces like walls and also take mold samples from carpet.

The fear of home inspectors and home buyers is that you and your family may move into a home and then suddenly feel sick. Testing of that home may then indicate a mold may be the problem.  Next step is the new buyer does a web search to find an attorney.

Make no mistake, our contract and report clearly indicate in several different locations we do not test for mold. If you wish to determine what type mold is in the home you MUST have a mold inspection performed prior to expiration of your inspection contingency.  

Mold and mildew are being blamed for all types if illness in court cases and on TV.  Look at reputable medical journals and do a search for mold.  When you search turns up few if any results you may conclude there is a lot of hype about mold and few if any scientific facts to back up claims of illness from mold exposure in your home. Like it or not testing the mold samples is the only way to tell if the mold is toxic, therefore having the mold tested is a good idea.

If there is a mold concern in the home such as an odor or visible mold growth you would be foolish not to test.  If there is no visible mold in the home and no mold odor in the home you should still have mold testing performed to protect yourself and your children from possible exposure.

Just because the medical community is not convinced mold is so bad for you there is no assurance that will not change in the future.  

Home owner's insurance companies have paid out lots of money in mold, flooding and water claims.  In case you did not know it insurance companies like to take money in and not pay out.  Thus if there is a history of water or mold problems in a home insurance may not be available at affordable rates.  

Buyer must ask sellers to disclose any issues they know of in writing.  Oral statements are worth the paper they are written on.

Ask the seller and realtors if there were ever any mold or mildew issues or mold problems in the home!

File last updated September 02, 2010 * Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park (formely West Paterson) NJ 07424 973-812-5100 providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121.